Duke junior Emma Tucci will be blogging throughout the 2012-13 season, giving Duke fans an inside look at life on the Blue Devil women's lacrosse team. Look for Emma's blog all year on GoDuke.com.

Welcome back Duke Women's Lacrosse fans!

We are officially back in action, and yes, it feels good! This past month has been a combination of run tests, really great "get to know ya" sessions with [sports performance coach Jeff] Howser, new stickwork routines with WAAGS [assistant coach Kristen Waagbo] and some sassy footwork drills with Mandy [assistant coach Amanda Barnes]. We have also welcomed seven new, amazing freshmen into the Duke Lax family: Kaki "Limbs" Jennison, Kelci "Jerz" Smesko, Maddy "The 3rd" Acton, Claire "Scar" Scarrone, Emma "Laser" Lazaroff, Kelsey "KDUR" Duryea and Jordan "Jordy" McCarthy... Yes I had to include the nicknames. These seven freshies have already impressed me with their dance moves and lacrosse skills. I am super excited to see how they grow throughout the fall season!

This week, we held the most critically acclaimed draft in the nation: the Blue/White draft. After last year's major comeback from the white team, we were extremely fired up to snatch up the freshies and add them on to the roster. The new additions haven't been announced yet, but when the initiation ceremony commences it's going to be a like the Harry Potter sorting hat excitement all over again. I can't wait for that first game of dodgeball... Mollie Mackler, your right arm hook shot will be missed (but not by my face).

Aside from the events of the draft, Howser and [sports performance] coach Carl [Christensen] have been showing no mercy on the field or in the weight room. We have been put to the test early and often. Our bodies are definitely feeling it. But as Kerrin Maurer puts it, "We just gotta rep out." On a side note, this fall, we are trying a little something different with our workouts: NO MUSIC. It has been somewhat of an adjustment, because if you know our team, you know how much we love the tunes. However, Lauren Martin and Makenzie Hommel have graciously stepped into the spotlight with some much-needed acoustics. Their favorite track this week has been R.Kelly's "World's Greatest." As long as we maintain our energy level and focus, Pandora's Destiny's Child station will be blasting in no time!

This week also marks our second official week of practice!! And might I say... we have got some talent. From the freshmen to the seniors, we are definitely one of the most energetic and efficient groups yet! The training and coaching staff has introduced a new warm up/stretching routine, which has really helped us get ready for practice. Caroline Keating has been an excellent coach, alongside her trusty assistant Kelsey D! From attack to defense, practice has been mostly about getting back to the basics, and brushing off the summer cobwebs. We have spent a lot of time working on our shots and defensive footwork. But the coaches ratcheted up our level of play this week and incorporated some new offensive swag! I am excited to see where this fall journey is headed.

To top off week two, we are heading down the road to play some Tar Heels for a little 7v7 teaching/scrimmage session. This will mark the first official non-Duke competition and our team is fired up! It should be a great evening of lacrosse.

Stay tuned for next week's adventures as we head out of North Carolina and up north for our first bus trip!! Can you say WaWa pit stop, "Bridesmaids", and "Wedding Crashers"? We are playing in our first fall-ball tournaments on Saturday October 5th, and Sunday the 6th. It should be a great weekend! Be sure to come back for the update, but for now....